"I feel like I have a responsibility to show her (daughter) that when something is not as it should be in the country that you should stand up and do whatever you can to help make it better," said Kat Voller.

Through spoken word and appeals for social action many expressed their pain, frustration and desire for a deeper appreciation of young lives.

"I don't want to wait until this hits home to the point that it's my son to say something," said Jake Streeter.

Some later marched to a separate rally simultaneously being held on the steps of the Cleveland Public Library.

Leaders at both gatherings are hoping this will only be the start to future action and change both in Cleveland and nationwide.

Both rallies were peaceful as Cleveland police watched from a distance.

It's peace Angel Arroyo with the Cleveland Guardian Angels hopes to spread to others on a trip he is making to Ferguson this weekend.

"It's just disheartening to see a young man doesn't matter if he's black, white, Latino in the street lifeless, and that's the saddest thing about this whole situation."